August 10, 2009, Monday
This morning we were up before seven so we could eat breakfast and load the boat. I played with baby Nambozo while Grace washed clothes and Mary washed dishes and the men loaded the boat. We had tea and chappati and the last of the trail mix. We took a couple of team photos since we all have our new t-shirts on. We were on the boat by 9 a.m. for the hour boat ride to Busiro, the village on the mainland where Peter would pick me up. The water was smooth as glass this morning as I enjoyed my last boat ride. Several people joined us on the boat to go to the village because it is market day today. The team was quiet for a while because we are all sad to say goodbye and have this trip come to an end. Grace said she wanted me to live on Sigulu with her. I teased Mary and asked her if she would be having a new baby when I come next time. She laughed and indicated no because she already has 6 children. We also had a time of retelling funny parts of the trip. Grace is called Fish Eagle because she snatched some fish off of Pius plate during one of our meals. Pius and Mary hide food from each other at times. Once Pius took the last of the eggplant so that Mary didn’t get any. So Mary hid the fish from Pius and he didn’t get fish that night. They are so much fun. They tease and banter with each other in such an innocent way. They love peanut butter and I bring those small individual tubs so that I can stretch the peanut butter longer. Each breakfast we only use one tub. I don’t eat any so that there will be more for them. They take turns hiding or hogging the g-nut sauce, as they call it.
We have lots of good memories. I will miss my friends who have become my family here.
God willing, I will return in January to go to more islands with the Gospel.
At Busiro, I gave Grace some money to buy Baby Nambozo a dress. She quickly shopped while they were loading the van. She changed the baby into her new dress and brought her to me for pictures. I’ve taken lots of pictures of this precious tiny baby girl during these two weeks. She is such a good baby. She has several names: Hope, Sandy, Nambozo and another one I don’t remember. They usually call her baby Nambozo after me. Nambozo means dearly loved favorite daughter. I hugged Grace, Mary and the baby goodbye and shook Patrick’s hand. He is such a godly, kind, gentle, smart, hard working, honest man. Good men are hard to find in Uganda.
By 1 p.m. I was back at Phil’s house in Iganga, where we unloaded the van. I enjoyed showering and washing my hair! Having a toilet to set on is such a luxury! I can drink all the water I want to because I can go to the bathroom when I need to instead of taking a hike and hiding in the bushes from the children. I’m staying in a vacant room with all my things instead of sharing with Susan. I need some space and privacy. Susan is wonderful but talks on the phone or listens to music constantly and I need some quiet time alone. She understands. I cleaned and organized some things but I’ll clean the equipment tomorrow. I’ve eaten fish and rice for supper and had an orange Fanta soda along with lots of cold water.
I’m tired, but comfortable. I’m happy yet sad to not be with my island family. I’ve talked with Peter and Pastor Godfrey to arrange for me to visit churches starting on Wednesday, if possible.
Tomorrow I will clean and rest and hopefully go to the internet. Thank you, Lord, for letting us go to 7 islands and 14 villages in 15 days. Over 5000 people saw the Jesus film and we planted a new church. Many people got saved and healed and delivered. Many children learned to cheer, Jesus loves me so much and to sing “I’m a friend of God.” Glory to God in the Highest! Hallelujah to the King! Come Lord, Jesus, come!
